ADVERTISEMENT


This frowning frog isn’t actually disappointed or sad — that’s just how the Black Rain Frog looks.

The species is only found on the southern slopes of the Cape Fold Belt in South Africa at elevations of up to over 3,300ft (1,000m). Since the Black Rain Frog is a burrowing species, it inhabits fynbos and forest fringes and doesn’t even need the presence of open water!

RELATED:

    African rain frog resembling an angry avocado on a mossy ground.

    Image credits: Delport Botma

    African Rain Frog with an angry expression, resembling an avocado, sitting on a person's hand.

    Image credits: 22sect

    ADVERTISEMENT

    When the Black Rain Frog feels disturbed and threatened, it will puff up and enlarge its body, adopting a more aggressive behavior.

    But that doesn’t mean that the Black Rain Frog hates company. On the contrary. Come mating season, the female will secrete a sticky substance on its back to keep the male from falling off; this is known as adhesive amplexus. It literally refuses to let go of its partner.

    An African rain frog resembling an angry avocado on a forest floor.

    Image credits: weshalljoinourhouses

    An African Rain Frog sitting on moss, looking like an angry avocado.

    Image credits: DamianVanAswegen

    ADVERTISEMENT

    A close-up of an African rain frog resembling an angry avocado with expressive features on a person's hand.

    Image credits: thewondersofthenatrual

    ADVERTISEMENT

    African rain frog resembling an angry avocado on a smooth surface.

    Image credits: thewondersofthenatrual

    A grumpy African rain frog resembling an avocado, sitting on rocky ground.

    Image credits: critter_friend_facts

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Angry avocado-like African rain frog with a grumpy face leaping on grass.

    Image credits: Pedrica1

    African rain frog resembling an angry avocado with a textured, dark exterior, resting on a green surface.

    Image credits: pleasemyavocadoitssosad

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Angry African rain frog resembling an avocado, sitting on forest floor.

    Image credits: amgry.frog

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Just listen to this little buddy

    And here’s the desert rain frog. Native to a small coastal strip of land between the African countries of Namibia and South Africa, it spends most of the day buried in sand dunes.

    It has flanges on its back feet that act as little diggers to more easily navigate its coastal terrain.

    The small patch of the world that they inhabit is prone to sea fog, which keeps the sand moist in an otherwise arid region. They have a patch on their bellies that is not only transparent but also has numerous blood vessels and capillaries through which they can absorb water directly from the sand.

    As cute as it looks, it’s the desert rain frog’s ferocious roar that really made a name for it. While every frog species has a unique call, this one goes all out in defending its turf, as wildlife photographer Dean Boshoff bravely discovered when shooting at the dunes along Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape province.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    People had a lot to say about the Black Rain Frog

    Comment by Jam Baylon with humorous remark about being an animal.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Kevin Safford comments on carrying African Rain Frogs to defuse situations, accompanied by emoji reactions.

    Dana Jennifer Roberts' social media comment on a comparison with a character from Weird Science.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Comment about African Rain Frogs sounding like squeaky toys, with smiley and heart emojis.

    Comment on African Rain Frogs saying they look cute and sad.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Comment about African rain frogs' defensive rolling ability with a positive response.

    ADVERTISEMENT